NBA to Televise Social Media Awards

Social media has changed the way small screen viewers watch television. Thanks to smart devices, TV viewing goes hand in hand with social media engagement, with many viewers tweeting, Facebooking and Tumblring while tuning into their first screen. Online discussions can heat up when it comes to sports coverage, especially during basketball season.

Recognizing the digital chatter, NBA TV will televise the second annual NBA Social Media Awards. The awards will air on June 12 on TNT.

Voting for nominees and winners, which will occur via Twitter using the hashtag #NBASMA, will award NBA moments that generated the most buzz on social media. Categories include the 140 Award for “the player with the most impressive tweet of the year” and the OMG Award for “the team with the best video shared via social.” Fans can also vote at the NBA’s Social Media Awards website.

In addition to returning awards such as The BIG (Best In The Game) Award and The LOL (Laugh out Loud) Award, the new categories will include #Trendsetter Award, given to the player that showcased the best sense of style via social media; The 140 Award, awarded to the player with the most impressive tweet of the year; The OMG Award, for the team with the best video shared using social; and The Social Rook of the Year Award, given to the rookie with the biggest uptick in popularity across social media platforms.